Representatives from Rother District Council visited the Kent and East Sussex Railway to show their support for its much-anticipated extension.

Council Chair Cllr Vikki Cook and Deputy Leader Cllr Susan Prochak joined an All-Party Parliamentary Group visit on Friday, September 15.

The cross-party group meets regularly at Westminster to improve understanding by Parliamentarians of Britain’s unique railway heritage and how best to maintain and enhance it. 

They heard plans from the Rother Valley Railway Heritage Trust to complete the missing link to the national network – connecting the Kent and East Sussex Railway at Bodiam to the mainline at Robertsbridge.

Cllr Susan Prochak said: “The link between the mainline and the Kent and Sussex Railway will bring a welcome boost to tourism in the district and to training and employment.

“Myself and Cllr Cook were delighted to be able to joining the Parliamentary Group on Friday to show Rother District Council’s support for the efforts of Rother Valley Railway and the planned extension.”

The group, which included Bexhill and Battle MP Huw Merriman, was led by Lord Faulkner of Worcester – president of the Heritage Railway Association. 

Lord Faulkner said: “We wanted to visit this popular line to see at first hand the role it plays in supporting tourism, in outreach to the community it serves and its innovative approach to environmental stewardship, as well as its exciting plans for future extensions. 

“Heritage railways are important in supporting skills training and employment and support well-being for both volunteers and visitors so it has been good to see this in action on this historic and pioneering light railway.”

Published: 19th September 2023